Heather Bernard

Human Capital Development Specialist

Skills

Training & Development

Communication and Presentation Making Skills

Decision Making

Psychological Assessments

Team Building

Consulting

Coaching and Mentoring

Research

Proposal Writing

Event Co-ordination

Massage Therapy

Summary

A passionate professional with over ten years experience in delivering customer-centric training and development programmes in various industries, I desire an opportunity to transition fully into operations management utilising psychological principles and models as a means of promoting organisational wellness. I am eager to apply the principles of coaching successful athletes to the corporate world.

Work History

Work History

Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

Associate Vice President

International University of the Caribbean

Chief Operating Officer for a region comprised of three community campuses and two learning/ teaching centres. In this capacity, I: provided leadership and oversight for all academic and operational activities; spearheaded the strategic planning for the region; worked alongside the Regional Pro Chancellor to create proposals introducing the wider population to the institution while soliciting support in the form of grants, scholarships or student aid; delivered courses in the psychology undergraduate and graduate programmes; supervised students engaged in practicum; provided specialised training programmes for entities and individuals outside of the university; led the charge in utilising relationship-building skills as a means of growing the business and minimising risks; engaged in the development and implementation of an effective succession plan.

Jun 2013 - Dec 2014

Assistant Vice President

International University of the Caribbean

Provided leadership, operational management and oversight for a region comprised of three community colleges and three learning centres with respect to the implementation of academic policies and procedures; supported the strategic planning and policy formation processes to assist with goal achievement; supported the curriculum review processes through the development of tools/instruments and participating in planning and execution activities; facilitated the development of staff members as a means of strengthening the effectiveness of the regional unit; ensured consistency and uniformity in the delivery of courses across the region; ensured that planning, documenting and implementation of processes that supported the registration and accreditation of courses.

Sep 2011 - May 2013

Regional Dean

International University of the Caribbean

Served as the chief academic officer and quality assurance specialist in the South Middlesex Region and had responsibility for the strategic positioning and management of the academic programmes offered throughout learning centres in Mandeville, May Pen, Santa Cruz, Albert Town, Kellits and Old Harbour; delivered courses in Psychology, Leadership, Physical Education, Personal Development and Service Learning; supervised students undergoing Consulting Practicum for the Masters in Counselling and Consulting Psychology; prepared documents for accreditation of various programmes; provided counsel for students and lecturers regarding career opportunities; offered training to external organisations/entities; had oversight for the overall administrative functions and general operations for the region.

Aug 2007 - Oct 2010

Regional Manager

GraceKennedy Limited

Here I directed and oversaw the operations and performance of eight retail stores over a geographical area spanning the parishes of St. Ann, St. James, Westmoreland, Manchester and St. Mary. This required working closely with the Inventory/Business Development, Finance, Category Management, Customer Service, Marketing and Human Resource Departments to maximize the efficiencies of the individual stores; developed Customer Service Manual and conducted quarterly training sessions for all staff members geared towards improving customer service delivery.

Jan 2007 - Jul 2007

Risk Officer

GraceKennedy Limited

As Risk Officer GKFoods I identified mission critical business processes with the assistance of Business Heads and documented these processes based on an understanding of the practices, policies and procedures of all companies within the Food Training Division with the aim of minimizing risk.

May 2005 - Dec 2006

Research Analyst

GraceKennedy Limited

Compiled reports, including statistical and market trends, organized and facilitated focus group sessions; wrote reports on matters of great import to GraceKennedy Limited. Accelerated Development Programme-Junior Associate: Researcher developed manual to document the policies, procedures and processes of companies within the Food Trading Division; documented and presented to the Food Trading Board a case study on the creation and development of Tropical Rhythms-a highly successful product birthed out of a cross-functional team approach; conducted a study on Western Union to track growth and explain some of the challenges being faced by the company(Transactions between Jamaica and its primary markets-USA, Canada, United Kingdom).

Jan 2005 - May 2005

Instructor

Manchester High

I facilitated the course Caribbean Studies, prepared students for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations(CAPE) and supervised school based assessments. I was also an Internal Invigilator-CAPE Sociology and Communications Studies who assessed students in partial fulfilment of the requirements for CAPE.

Sep 2001 - Aug 2003

Teacher-French

Mona Preparatory

As teacher of French I developed a syllabus in relation to primary school curriculum, administered all graded and written work, including final exam papers; exposed students to activities that promote French culture e.g. French Festival Planning and execution of educational trip to Montreal, Canada to encourage use of knowledge gained in the classroom. I was also the Team Leader for the introduction and implementation of staff uniform and served as liaison between PTA and staff.

Education

Education

Jan 2010 - Present

PhD. Applied Psychology

International University of the Caribbean

The application of psychological theories and models to address real life situations in the workplace.